The influence of the premenstrual period on voice

M. Vandermosten, L. Vanhool, A. Albers, F.I.C.R.S. de Jong, W.A.R. Wellens

In this ongoing cross sectional survey study physical and voice changes and their relationship in the period 2-3 days before the menstruation were assessed. The group under investigation consisted of 53 trained singers and 137 not-singers, aged 18-48 years. The participants filled out a general questionnaire, a questionnaire regarding physical experiences (ICD 10) and a questionnaire regarding the speaking voice. Additionally, the singers filled out a questionnaire regarding the singing voice. Contraceptive medication was taken by 74,3% of the not-singers and 33,3% of the singers (p < 0.001). The singers reported significantly more physical complaints than the not-singers (p < 0.001) and significantly more adverse effects on the speaking voice (90.6 % versus 59,1%; p < 0.001). The singers reported in 84 % adverse effects on the singing voice. The adverse effects were clearly more severe in the singing voice than in the speaking voice. In the not-singers only a very weak positive correlation was observed between age and physical complaints and a negligible weak negative correlation with adverse effects on the speaking voice (Spearman’s rho = 0,147 and 0.017 resp.). In the singers these both correlations were positive (Spearman’s rho = 0.370 and 0.147 resp.), while the correlation between age and adverse effects on the singing voice was weak (Spearman’s rho = 0.378). The non-singer contraceptive users scored significantly lower on physical complaints than the non-contraceptive users (p = 0.023), whereas there was no significant difference regarding adverse effects on the speaking voice (p = 0.626). The singer contraceptive users scored not significantly different regarding physical complaints and speaking voice changes compared to the non-contraceptive users (p = 0.448, resp. 0.203), whereas singer contraceptive users reported significantly less adverse effects on their singing voice (p = 0.029). the results of this study indicate that the premenstrual period has an influence on the speaking and singing voice, that is more pronounced in singers than in not-singers. The use of contraceptive medication plays a role and to a lesser degree also age.

M. Vandermosten, L. Vanhool, A. Albers, F.I.C.R.S. de Jong, W.A.R. Wellens
Dep. ENT, Head and Neck Surgery - Lab. Exp. ORL, K.U.Leuven, Belgium
maaike.vandermosten@student.kuleuven.be